In his weekly mailbag, Coach Bass tackles questions from first year high school and players and potential college players. If you have a question for Coach Bass you can email him at NFLAsktheCoach@aol.com
Connor from Wichita Falls sent the following question:
I am going into the 7th grade and I am determined to make the A team. But I need to impress the coaches. What drills can I do to get better at the WR position?
Hi Connor,
If you want to impress your coach start with the little things like being on time to every practice, being first in line in every drill, praising and encouraging your teammates, listening to your coaches even when they correct another player at your position, knowing your assignments, and above all going 100% in practice with a positive attitude.
As a wide receiver you can work out on your starts off the line [making sure you step forward across the line every time], your burst [running as quick as you can up the field for ten yards], and then run each of your basic pass routes [hitch, quick out, slant, hook, in, out, post, up], and make sure you run them all on both sides of the field. Practice getting your head around to pick up both the QB and the ball the minute you make your break on each pass route.
Stay positive and enjoy the season, Coach Tom Bass.
Jordan from Hendersonville sent the following question:
I want to play Corner and I keep looking online for drills and tips and there is nothing online so could you give me tips and drills?
Hi Jordan,
When I worked with my new corners I had them work on only the following drills until practice began
Stance - Line up in a stance where you bring your outside foot forward to the center of your body, turning it so that the outside edge of your foot is directly under your nose when you look down. 90 % your weight is on your front foot. Your knees are bent, your hips are over your feet, with your shoulder pads and helmet in front of your hips. [five times with a right and 5 times with a left stance]
Start - From the above stance you should start by pushing back with the muscles on the outside of your front foot and lower leg, exploding your hips back, and stepping back with your back foot. [For 5 yards -10 times from the right and ten times from the left stance.]
Back Pedal - After the start, you should flow right into your back pedal [backward run], with your feet stepping back in a low running motion [skimming the grass], your hips are over your feet, your arms are moving in a normal pumping action, and always keep your shoulder pads and helmet slightly ahead of your hips. [Go a full 15 yards each time - 10 times from the right and ten from the left stance].
Going to a forward run - Do your back pedal from a good stance and start for ten yards and then go to a forward run by leaning your upper body in the direction you want to go, rolling over the foot on that side of your body, keeping your hips directly over your feet, maintaining your momentum, and bursting in a forward run in your new direction for ten yards. [10 yard backpedal, 10 yard forward burst - 5 each side - 1 outside deep - 1 inside deep - 1 outside medium - 1 inside medium - 1 straight forward medium - here lean forward and take 2 or 3 short quick steps to re-direct your movement] This drill will incorporate the movement you need to cover and UP, POST, OUT, IN, and HOOK pass.
If you run hard and focus on each drill you will get a meaningful workout, Coach Tom Bass.
Raiaz from New York sent the following question:
Hello Coach Bass. I am a freshman at my high school and I want to play football. I have no knowledge of football, and have never played for a team. Does your coach teach you how to play? I am also having trouble selecting a position to play. I am 14 and 191 pounds. I can really run fast and can maneuver well. Can you recommend a position for me?
Thank you.
Hi Raiaz,
Welcome to our wonderful world of football. Everyone has to start sometime and your time is now. You may be confused by some to the terminology and not understand some of the drills in the beginning, but if you pay attention, watch the other players, listen to your coaches, and really try it will all slowly begin to make sense.
The great thing is your coaches will not only teach you the techniques you need to play the game, but they will also explain how the game is played and the rules that are vital to the game.
The other thing your coaches will do will be to help you find a position on the team where you can develop and have success. After watching you practice they will be in a much better position to select a position for you on the team.
You might go to the library and read up on football so you have a basic understanding of all the positions on offense, defense and special teams and formulate an idea of where you feel you might fit. Good luck and I hope you have a great year, Coach Tom Bass.
Coach Tom Bass, the technical writer and advisor for USA Football is a thirty-year NFL coach who has authored several books, including his latest entitled, Between the Lines, for 7-11 year olds which discusses and illustrates all the positions on a football team. Book ordering information can be found on CoachBass.com. Coach Bass is happy to personally autograph his books to you.